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Maasai Mara travel guide

Africa's most famous safari, with big cats and the Great Migration

Lions in the Maasai Mara. Photo: Danijel Mihajlovic, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

8h 45mflight from London
NBOnearest main airport
22° in Febwarmest month
19° in Juncoolest month

The Maasai Mara is Kenya's best-known reserve, rolling grassland with lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and buffalo. From about July to October, the Great Migration arrives and wildebeest cross the crocodile-filled Mara River.

The private conservancies around the reserve, run with Maasai communities, have fewer vehicles and more exclusive game drives.

Good forWildlifeSafarisPhotographyBalloon rides

What Maasai Mara is known for

  • Big cats

    Lions, leopards and cheetahs.

  • The Migration

    River crossings.

  • Balloon safaris

    Float over at dawn.

  • Maasai culture

    Village visits.

Top things to do in Maasai Mara

  1. 1

    Game drives

    Morning and evening.

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  2. 2

    A hot-air balloon safari

    With a bush breakfast.

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  3. 3

    A Mara River crossing

    July to October.

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  4. 4

    A conservancy walk

    On foot with Maasai guides.

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Where to stay in Maasai Mara

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Best time to visit Maasai Mara

Best value: Mar, Oct. July to October for the Migration; January and February are also dry.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
20.9 C21°J21.8 C22°F21.7 C22°M20.2 C20°A19.2 C19°M18.9 C19°J19.4 C19°J20.3 C20°A21.2 C21°S21.6 C22°O20.8 C21°N20.6 C21°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Maasai Mara, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 8h 45m from London to NBO, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Fly from Nairobi in about 45 minutes, or drive in 5 to 6 hours.

Airport transfer to Maasai Mara

Find flights to Maasai Mara (NBO)

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Good to know

  • Fly in to save a long, bumpy drive.
  • Bring soft bags: light aircraft have weight limits.
  • Book Migration season early.
Kenya guidesTravel safetyVisasPlugs & adaptersWhen to goFlight times

Maasai Mara FAQ

How many days in the Mara?

Three or four days.

When is the Migration?

Roughly July to October.

More places in Kenya

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